Here I Am. Send Me.
Would you rather listen than read? Listen here.
Picture It…
One show I watched a lot growing up was The Golden Girls. I watched it all the time and I still like to watch the reruns. I think one reason I loved it so much was because Sophia reminded me of my Italian great grandmother, and Rose reminded me of my grandmother. The difference was my grandmother was from Schuylkill Haven, not St. Olaf, and my great grandmother was much meaner than Sophia. However, the stories were very much the same.
Sophia always started her stories with picture it…
“Picture it! Sicily. 1912. A beautiful young peasant girl with clear olive skin meets an exciting, but penniless artist.”
-Sophia (from screenrant.com)
or
“Picture this! Sicily. August 1908. No, that’s not it. But if you ever need a story about jealousy, this one’s a pip. No, I remember. Havana. 1957. No, I was never in Havana. I meant Brooklyn. 1958. No, that’s not it. I don’t believe it. I’m dry. I got nothing! I just can’t leave you hanging! In lieu of a story, would you settle for a very wise observation?”
-Sophia (from screenrant.com)
Sophia would always say, “Picture it, Sicily, 1922”. Well, today I want to do something similar, but we will go back a wee bit further. Imagine Isaiah saying this, “Picture it, Judah, 740 BC”.
“Picture it, Judah, 740 BC”
The smoke cleared and before me, colors and images of things I had never seen before came into view. In front of me sat a throne high above everything else and the colors, wow, the colors were more vibrant than anyone could ever imagine.
His glory shone like jasper and carnelian. Circling the throne was a dynamic glow of emeralds. Flowing from the majestic throne was the robe belonging to the Almighty. His presence captivated me. Surrounding the throne were four living creatures. They were unlike anything I had ever seen before.
Eyes covered them on all sides, even under their wings. It was as if they were there to keep watch on all things on Earth, but also could not take their eyes off their creator.
One looked courageous, resembling a lion. Another looked strong and sturdy, like an ox. The third resembled humanity, with the face of man, and the final one soured like an eagle in flight.
Each being had not two wings like one would imagine, but six. Two wings covered their faces as if protecting them from the glory of His majesty. Two more wings covered their feet, and the last pair allowed them to fly.
The sound of their words entangled my thoughts as they announced, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
I could not strip my eyes from Him. As entranced as I was, my heart felt convicted. My shame, my sin, everything I had done against the Lord rose to the surface and mocked me. How could I look at such purity while filled with filth?
My eyes took notice of one of the seraphim flying towards me. He had a burning coal that he held within a pair of tongs he had taken from the altar before me. With the fiery hot coal, he pressed it against my lips and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Just like that my shame was replaced with an all surpassing peace that was interrupted by the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger? Who will go for us?”
With no hesitation, I replied, “Here I am. Send me.”
Inside The Story
I wrote the above based on Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4, with a little embellishment. When I study scripture, I try to put myself inside the story. Who would I be? What would I smell? Who would be there with me? What would it sound like and what would I feel? Are there birds chirping or waves crashing? Putting myself into the story can change my entire perspective.
This story is incredible and putting myself in Isaiah’s shoes is quite terrifying, yet amazing. I would love to be in such a place that God found me worthy of revealing Himself to me. He did this for Moses and Isaiah. Both had the same response. They felt their sin and unworthiness.
But, God…
In both situations, God did not leave them right where they were. He did not leave them in the sin and shame. God redeemed.
Isaiah had to look his sin in the face as he stood before absolute purity. But God had the seraphim come and place the burning coal on his lips. What comes to your mind when you think of fire? My first thought is refining and purifying. I believe this is exactly what happened. God purified Isaiah from all his sins and refined his heart to align with God’s.
Who Will Go? Send Me.
When God got Isaiah to this place, He then asked, “Who will go?” And Isaiah replies, “Send me.”
We can have a similar situation. Ok, we might not go to the throne room, but it is just as miraculous. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it is very similar to the seraphim placing a coal upon our lips. The process of acceptance is also a process of purification. When we say, “Yes Lord” and accept Him as our Savior, we begin the refining process. God now sees us through the redemptive blood of Jesus and sees us as pure as He did Isaiah.
Are You Willing?
When we too get to the place of readiness in God’s eyes, He will ask us, “Who can I send?” Will you respond as courageous as Isaiah? God may have a young girl you pass who needs a smile. There may be a person who needs to know we see them. Maybe there is someone who needs a friend or encouragement. Maybe God needs someone to speak or write a book or share a message. If He asks, are you willing to go?
He may ask us to shake the nations, but He may ask for a simple smile. Either way, I want to be ready. Will you pray with me?
Let’s Pray
“Lord, thank you that you never leave us in the shame and sin we entangle ourselves in. Thank you that you redeem, refine, and repurpose our lives to align with your plan. Ready our hearts for whatever you would want us to do with you. Let us be your hands and feet here on Earth. We want to see revival. We want to see a great awakening. Equip us, and make our hearts ready and courageous to say, “Yes”. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.”
Jen, thank you for making the connection between purification and fitness to serve. Our righteousness only comes from our saving relationship with Jesus. Amazingly, God chooses to use us if we’re willing, though we’re far from perfect. What a privilege! May we all say, “Here I am, send me.”
Loved the story – your words made an old story new. Reminded me to look on God with wonder and awe…and then not be able to look at Him at all because He is so pure and holy. How kind of Him to purify us so we can stand in His presence.
You’re very good at picturing what God words tells us and helping others to see it, too. Thank you for sharing your gift.
“Picture this!” The story of Isaiah is one of my favorite calling stories in Scripture. I love your retelling and your point that while God calls some of us to step out and do things in His name that many people see, He also calls us to serve HIm in thousands of small ways every day. Both responses to Him are important and we never know where they might lead. Thanks for that reminder.
Your main idea is too often ignored in many Christian circles today. God doesn’t just love us. He expects us to represent him. He expects to change us. Thanks very much, Jennifer. God bless!
I said yes over 20 years ago to God when I started mission work and it has been an incredible journey. I pray I can and will continue to say yes all the days of my life.
Jen, thank you for sharing your beautiful writing based on your study of these passages. The picture you created and your biblical reminder of our redemption urges us to say, “Here I am. Send me.”
Like you, Jen, I try to put myself into the scripture and ask, “What would I do in this situation?” In Isaiah’s place, I would be terrified, yet he was, too. I believe God gives us the strength to say “yes” when He calls, but we still must make the choice. Your message is so inspiring, thank you!